Holiday DEALS! Take $200 OFF MiraDry Services + 30% OFF Botox & Fillers.

Is It Possible to Have Varicose Veins in Your Feet and Ankles?

Varicose veins are most often found around the thighs, knees, and calves. However, the issues that cause varicose veins are not limited to these areas. It’s not entirely uncommon to see varicose veins occurring in the feet and ankles. When varicose veins (or spider veins) appear in the feet, they are known as Corona Phlebectasia.

The Cause of Varicose Veins

Wherever they occur in the body, varicose veins are caused by a malfunction in blood movement. The tiny valves that push blood along through the body can grow weak or damaged due to age, genetics, or other health problems. The weak valves then struggle to push blood along through the circulatory system, causing blood to pool in the veins. This pooling causes the swollen, discolored, and gnarled-looking veins that we call varicose veins.

Specifically, when the malfunction occurs in the small veins of the lower leg, varicose veins can begin to appear in the ankles and feet.

For many people, these visual signs can cause stress and embarrassment, especially during the summer when shorts and sandals leave varicose veins easily visible. Beyond the aesthetics, however, varicose veins can also have serious health implications.

The Symptoms of Varicose Veins

When varicose veins appear in the feet and ankles, the problem is exacerbated by gravity and steadily increasing pressure in the veins. Many people are then trapped in a cycle of pain. Standing and walking can become very uncomfortable. However, inactivity can make the varicose veins worse, leading to harsher symptoms.

Symptoms of varicose veins in the feet and ankles include:

  • Numbness
  • Pain in affected areas
  • Throbbing, itching, and burning
  • Redness and inflammation
  • Broken skin
  • Legs feeling heavy
  • Restless legs
  • Frequent cramping

The swelling and pain caused by varicose veins might be the only symptom for some people. If the actual varicose veins are far beneath the surface of the skin, the issue can occur without giving off visible cues. Chronic, unexplained swelling of the legs, feet, and ankles might very well be due to varicose veins deeper within.

The Damage of Varicose Veins

While the immediate frustration with varicose veins might be aesthetic, it’s important to consider their long-term effects on your health. Varicose veins in the legs and feet can cause:

  • Blood clots
  • Venous eczema
  • Ulcerated skin
  • Swollen or hardened skin around affected areas

Tiny blue veins around the feet are often the first indicator of these larger health problems, and they should be checked by a doctor.

Varicose Vein Treatment

There are a variety of treatments that can get rid of varicose veins in the legs, feet, and ankles. Most are minimally invasive outpatient procedures.

While some practitioners use lasers and others use injections, the goal of each type of treatment is to effectively destroy the varicose vein. The body will naturally redirect the blood through the surrounding healthy veins, and the closed-off varicose vein will fade until it is invisible.

Easily Treat Varicose Veins at NY Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center

You deserve to look and feel your best – and that includes youthful-looking, pain-free legs and feet. Varicose veins don’t have to be permanent. Give New York Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center a call, or contact us online to find out how our vein specialists can help you discover your healthiest self!

Request Appointment


Follow Us